Switch.



W. W. GEOFF.

SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21, 1913.

Patented Nov. 11, 1913.

2 SHEETSSHBET 1.

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Patented Nov. 11, 1913.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM W. GEOFF, OF SOUTH OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

SWITCH.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, YVILLIAM W. Grow, a citizen of the United States, residing at South Omaha, in the county of Douglas and State of Nebraska, have invented new and useful Improvements in Switches, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in switches, and it proposes a switch which is especially applicable to overhead rails, such as are used in packing houses as bearers for the suspended trucks or carriers which carry the sides of meat, and by means of which the meat is readily transported from place to placeor into and from the cooling rooms. At very many points in the system of overhead rails thereare junctions of rails leading to different places, and it is at such points that the improved switch is to be employed.

Theobjects of the invention are to pro ride a switch embodying but a single movable tongue and wherein duplication of parts is avoidedpwhich may be applied without substantial change to the gaps between any of the adjoining rails; in which but a single joint is required between the switch tongue and the rail by which it is carried; in which the switch tongue is not subject to the weight of the switch operating mechanism; in which the switch tongue is automatically operated by the advancing movement of a truck or either rail, in such manner that it is impossible for the truck or carrier to be without support; in which the switch tongue is locked in either of its operative positions and consequently :cannot be accidentally displaced; in which the parts are readily accessible for the purposes of removal, substitution, or repairs, and renewals or repairs may be made without interruption of the continuity of the overhead trolley rail system; and in which the mechanism is of simple and reliable nature and may be conveniently applied in accordance with the environments of use.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an overhead switch in which the features of the invention are incorporated; Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof; and Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof.

Similar characters of reference designate Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 11,1913.

Application filed June 21, 1913. Serial No. 775,126.

corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The arrangement of trolley rails shown herein is one that is frequently used immediately adjacent the entrance of a cooling room, and wherein A is the rail which leads into the cooling room, B is a rail alining therewith, G is a siding rail, and D is a switch tongue pivotally connected to the terminal of rail A and operative to connect rails A and B, or rails A and C. Theoperation of the tongue D is'automatically effected, in the example disclosed, by the movement of a truck or carrier E along ither of the rails B and C, and toward the. rail A. i

The mechanism for operating the tongue D includes a rotatable part 1 connected by a link 2 to the tongue D, and a slidable part 3 for operating the rotatable part. In the example disclosed, the part 1 consists of apinion and the part 3 consists of a rack bar engaging therewith. The axle of the pinion 1 is journaled in a bracket l, which, as shown, projects laterally fromthe rail B and has an extended arm 5 carrying a friction roller 6, which engages the outer side face of the rack bar 3, thereby forum in a bearing for said rack bar and also maintaining it in relation to the pinion 1. The link 2 isprcferably of curved form and the bracket lis provided with recesses 7 and 8 to receive the end of the link 2 which is pivot-ed to the pinion 1. The sliding movement of the bar 3 is effected by a vertical shaft 9, journaled in a bracket 10 which, as shown, projects laterally from the rail B, the bar 3 being pivoted to an arm 11 on said shaft and in its operation having both pivotal and sliding components of movement. Two agencies are employed for rotating the shaft 9 and are in relation to the rails .13 and C respectively, their action in each instance being initiated by the movement of a truck E toward thegrail A.

A truck moving upon the rail 13 initiates the operation of the switch mechanism by the engagement of the trolley wheel 6 with an arm 12 which projects from the shaft 9 and overhangs the rail B when the tongue D connects the rails A and C. A truck moving upon the rail C initiatesthe operation of the switch mechanism, by the en.

arm 13 is operatively connected to the shaft 9, the connections pre erably comprising a shaft 14 by which said arm is carried and journaled in a bracket 15 projecting from the rail C, an arm 16 projecting from the shaft let oppositely to the arm 13, an arm 17 projecting from the shaft 9, and a link 18 connecting the arms 16 and 17. The arms 12 and 13 are preferably in the form of relatively strong leaf springs, whereby the engagement therewith of the trolley wheels 6 may not be productive of substantial shock. The nrawings show the tongue D connecting the rails A and C and pro-suppose that the truck on the rail C has just effected the movement of the tongue D to the position stated, and is moving toward the rail A, leaving the arm 13 at one side of the rail C. On the other hand, the arm 12 projects across the rail B and should a truck be moved along the rail 13 toward the rail A, its wheel 6 will ultimately engage the arm 12 and thereby rotate the shaft 9, causing a movement of the bar 3 to the left and a movement of the tongue D to connect the rails A and B and to thereby furnish a continuous support for the advancing truck. hen the shaft 9 is rotated by the engagement of the wheel 0 with the arm 12, such rotation is not only effective to set the tongue D, as explained, but it is also efiective to set the arm 13, whereby said arm projects across the rail C. With the parts in this relation, if a truck be moved along the rail C toward the rail A, its wheel 6 engages the arm 12, shifting the bar 3 toward the right and thereby bringing the parts into the relation shown in the drawings. When the tongue 1) is in either of its positions, its accidental displacement therefrom is not possible, since the relation of the pivotal connections of the link 2 to the axis of displacement is such that any direct lateral pressure on said tongue in either direction, and otherwise tending to cause a pivotal movement thereof, will be without effect, and since there is nothing to develop a force capable of effecting a movement of the pinion 1. It is of course obvious that the recessed portions 7 and 8 of the bracket 4t, by their cooperation with the linl: 2, function as stops to limit the movement of the tongue D when the latter comes into a position to connect the rail A with either of the rails B and C.

The bar 3 may be operated manually to set the tongue D, if so desired, by means of a lever or some equivalent device, and manual operating means for the bar 3 may be used in conjunction with the automatic means described and more especially to set the switch when a truck is to pass from the rail A to either of the rails B or C, e. g. as in being moved from the cooling room. Such means, in the embodiment shown, consists of a lever 19, which is pendant from some overhanging support and is connected as at 20, by the well known slot and pin joint, to the bar 3.

The free end of the tongue D and the adjacent ends of the rails B and C are fashioned to form a stepped joint and in this way the weight of the truck as it passes from a rail to said tongue is taken up by both the rail and the tongue, and the joint at the free end of the tongue is strengthened and protected against undue wear.

Matters of specific description herein contained are not intended to put any limitations upon the scope of the appended claims, beyond such as may be imported by their language.

Having fully described my invention, I claim:

1. The combination with a main rail, angularly disposed rails in relation thereto, and a switch tongue to connect said main rail and either of the angularly disposed rails, of a rotatable part, a link connecting the rotatable part and the switch tongue, a slidable part to operate the rotatable part, a rock shaft to operate the slidable part, and agencies in relation to each of said angularly disposed rails to operate said rock shaft and including arms to alternately project across said respective angularly disposed rails.

2. The combination with a main rail, angularly disposed rails in relation thereto, and a switch tongue to connect said main rail and either of the angularly disposed rails, of a rock shaft, agencies in relation to each of said angularly disposed rails to operate said rock shaft and including arms to alternately project across said respective angularly disposed rails, and operative connections between said rook shaft and said switch tongue to move the latter in accordance with the movements of said shaft.

3. The combination with a main rail, angularly disposed rails in relation thereto, and a switch tongue to connect said main rail and either of the angularly disposed rails, of a rock shaft located adjacent one of said angularly disposed rails and having an arm to project across the same and also a second projecting arm, an arm to project across the other angularly disposed rail, alink connecting said last-named arm and said second arm on said rock shaft, and operative connections between said rock shaft and said switch tongue to move the latter in accordance with the movements of said shaft.

t. The combination with a main rail, angularly disposed rails in relation thereto and a switch tongue to connect the main rail and either of the angularly disposed rails, of a rock shaft, agencies in relation to each of said angularly disposed rails to operate Said rock shaft and including arms to alterj second projecting arm, an arm to project across the other angularly disposed rail, a

' link connecting said last named arm and said second arm on said rock shaft, a pinion, a link connecting said pinion 9 and said switch tongue, a rack bar for operating said pinion, and an arm on said rock shaft to which said rack is connected. i

6. The combination with a main rail, angularly disposed rails in relation thereto, and a switch tongue to connect said main rail and either of said angularly disposed rails, of a rotatable part to operate said switch tongue, a link connecting said rotatable part and said switch tongue, and a bracket carrying said rotatable part and formed to cooperate with said link to limit the movement-of the latter.

7. The combination with a main rail, angularly disposed rails in relation thereto, and a switch tongue to connect said main rail and either of said angularly disposed rails, of a rotatable part to operate said switch tongue, a curved link connecting said rotatable part and said switch tongue, and a bracket carrying said rotatable part and having recesses to receive the end of said link which is pivoted to said rotatable part and to thereby limit the movement of the latter.

8. The combination with a main rail, angularly disposed rails in relation thereto, and a switch tongue to connect said main rail and either of said angularly disposed rails, of a pinion to operate said switch tongue, a link connecting said pinion and said switch tongue, aslidable rack bar to operate said pinion, and a bracket carrying said pinion and having an extended portion which engages the outer side face of said rack bar to form a bearing therefor, and to hold said rack bar in relation to said pinion.

9. The combination with a main rail, angularly disposed rails in relation thereto, and a switch tongue to connect said main rail and either of said angularly disposed rails, of a pinion to operate said switch tongue, a link connecting said pinion and said switch tongue, a slidable rack bar to operate said pinion, and a bracket carrying said pinion and formed to cooperate with said link to limit the movement of said pinion, the bracket having an extension which engages the outer side face of said rack bar to form a bearing therefor and to hold said bar in relation to said pinion.

10. The combination with a main rail, angularly disposed rails in relation thereto, and a switch tongue to connect said main rail and either of said angularly disposed rails, of, a pinion to operate said switch tongue, a link "connecting said pinion and said switch tongue, a slidable rack bar to operate said pinion, a bracket carrying said pinion and formed to cooperate with said link to limit the movement of said pinion, the bracket having an extension which engages the outer side face of said rack bar to form a bearing therefor and to hold said. bar in relation to said pinion, and a rock shaft for operating saidrack bar and having an arm to which the rack bar is connected.

11; The combination with a' main rail, angularly disposed rails in relation thereto, and a switch tongue to connect said main rail and either of said angularly disposed rails, of a pinion to operate said switch tongue, a link connecting said pinion and said switch tongue, a slidable rack bar to operate said pinion, and interconnected agencies in relation to each of said angula 'ly disposed rails to cooperate with a moving truck thereon in producing an operation of said rack bar, the initiation of the movement of the rack bar by one agency also causing the other agency to be set for cooperation with a truck.

12. The combination with a main rail, angularly disposed rails in relation thereto, and a switch tongue to connect said main rail and either of said angularly disposed rails, of a pinion to operate said switch tongue, a link connecting said pinion and said switch tongue, a slidable rack bar to operate said pinion, a rock shaft to operate said rack bar and having an arm to which said rack bar is connected, and means adj acent each of said angularly disposed rails for coiiperation with a moving truck tooperate said rock shaft and through said rock shaft to reset the other means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM W. GEOFF.

Witnesses:

PATRICK J. SHEEHY, JAMES SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

